Chook Shed Rare Tawny: 12 Barrels of Liquid Gold
The Chook Shed Rare Tawny Port has been part of our family's story for decades and is very close to our hearts. We have just a few barrels of this very special port remaining, and for the first time are offering an extremely limited release for sale online.
During Pat Tocaciu’s early winemaking career working for the Tollana winery in the Barossa Valley, he was responsible for making and blending fortified wines. One of his responsibilities was to craft and blend a consistent, house style Tawny Port from several hundred batches of varying age, style and complexity.
With a company merger to Penfolds alongside the decline of fortified wine sales in the late 1980s, Pat was told to cease making any more fortified wines and blend all current stock into one big tank. The thought of losing all his efforts and hard work over the years was devastating, so Pat negotiated the sale of one of his favourite batches before it was lost.
Chook shed & barrels.
Twelve barrels of this ‘liquid gold’ followed Pat throughout his career from the Barossa to Coonawarra. They came to rest in a small, dark building next to the chook shed near the Tocaciu family home in Coonawarra.
Over the next 20 years, the wine achieved cult status among Pat’s friends, colleagues and extended network. Siphoned from one of those barrels into the nearest available empty bottle at the end of the night, a smiling Pat could be heard saying “You must try my Chook Shed Port.”
Luke on his first birthday, 26 November 1985, with proud parents Jenny and Pat in Barossa Valley.
CHOOK SHED RARE TAWNY
BOTTLING ANALYSIS: 350mL ALC 19.9% TA 7.2 PH 3.68
WINE STYLE: RARE TAWNY
WINEMAKER: PATRICK TOCACIU
FOOD PAIRING: DRY AGED CHEDDAR CHEESE
TASTING NOTE: This Rare Tawny is a fine example of what quality and age can deliver. A blend with an average age of over 50 years, it has an aromatic spice, with dried fruit, candied fig and roasted nuts on the finish. The palate is long, brooding and intense. The dried citrus is perfectly balanced with the hint of caramel and brown sugar and distinct aged character that a Rare Tawny in known for. A treat for the senses and the ideal finish to a great evening with close friends. Once you’ve tried it, you will know the magic and allure of the Chook Shed Port.
"A fine example of what quality and age can deliver.”
YOUR PURCHASE SUPPORTS THE NRF
10% of all sales will be donated back to the NeuroSurgical Research Foundation.
